Hock Injections

Last summer, I had Izzy's hocks injected. I just reread that piece and found it quite interesting. I had forgotten all of the technical aspects of the procedure. 

Dr. Gonzalez (right) assisting Dr. Tolley

Since I've been down that road already, I didn't feel the need to arm myself with a bunch of advice from Dr. Google before Friday afternoon's appointment. I also didn't ask nearly so many questions this time around. Even so, I did have a few.

Injecting the local anesthetic.

Dr. Gonzalez, pictured second from the right, is Bakersfield Vet Hospital's newest doctor. He's been practicing for a few years now, and he was BVH's tech for a long time before that. Since Dr. Tolley had gone on vacation, I had asked if Dr. Gonzalez could do the hock injections instead of waiting two weeks for Dr. Tolley's return to work.

Getting ready for the actual injection.

To my surprise, Dr. Gonzalez explained that he hasn't had enough practice with the procedure to do it on a horse like Izzy. In other words, one who isn't going to stand still even while tranquilized. Dr. Gonzalez has been practicing on cadavers, but since the cadaver is laying down, the angle of the injection is different as is the space between the joints.

Needle in, now for the syringe.

Dr. Gonzalez went on to say that family members and friends have let him practice on their own horses, especially the older guys. It was also interesting to hear that he can practice without actually injecting the real medications. Instead, he can use a saline solution without harming the joint. Who knew?   

For this year's round of injections, Dr. Tolley changed the formula a bit. Last summer he used Depo-medrol (an anti-inflammatory), Amikacin (an antibiotic), and Adequan (an osteoarthritis drug). This summer, he switched out the Adequan in favor of Hyalovet (hyaluronic acid). I didn't realize the formula was different from last year, so I didn't get a chance to ask him why.

Now that I know that sore hocks show up in Izzy as a sore back and resistance to work, I am going to be keeping an eye open for changes in Izzy's attitude come late spring. Maybe if I catch it sooner, he won't get as sore.

As big a deal as getting hocks injected can be, it wasn't the only complicated procedure Izzy had on Friday. Believe it or not, there was more! Check back tomorrow for the other one.